Valve operator



Sept. 7, 1943. H' G, HUGHES VALVE OPERATOR Filed July 7, 1942 llil I l Il l .L 'Ill'llnllalllllll IIII.

Patented Sept. 7, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Y Yaazsis vAuiv'E OPERATOR" y lluglhr.l Hughes, Hinton, W. Va. applicatie Juiylri', i942, sei-iai- Ne. 450,0123 2 cranes. (ci. '137;139

This invention relates to a valve operator, and i it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind for the purpose of turning the air valve on the rear of a train from the platform of the Caboose or the rear car in the train.

It is also an object of the invention t provide an operator of this kind which is Carried by the Caboose in a manner to allow the same to be readily engaged with the handle of the air valve, whereby the trainmen will be protected from being thrown from the Caboose should slack action occur while turning the air valve with the train in motion.

It is a particular object of the invention to pro- Vide an operator of this kind which serves as a safety device to protect the life and limb of trainmen while turning the air valve on rear end of a train.

In order that my invention may be better understood, I will now proceed to described the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation illustrating an operator constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention in working position, the adjacent end portions ofthe rolling stock being shown in fragment with portions in elevation and other parts indicated by broken lines.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary detailed sectional View partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating the operative Connection for the rod of the operator with the railing of the Caboose.

Figure 3 is an elevational view on a large scale, of the lower or valve engaging extremity of the rod.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the upper end portion of the rod. 1

As` disclosed in the accompanying drawing, C denotes a conventional type of Caboose wherein each platform is provided with the usual railing structure R, said structure including a transversely disposed rail I.

The caboose C is Coupled in the usual manner with the rear car R of the train and said car R carries the usual air brake valve A having a laterally disposed operating arm 3.

For the purpose of safety it is desirable to have the valve A turned by trainmen on the platform of the Caboose. To enable such an operation an elongated rod 4 is provided of a length approximately six and one-half feet, although it is stated that such length may be varied as determined by the class of Caboose with which the rod is to be employed.

This rod 4 is preferably of metal and possesses strength suicient to sustain the weight ofthe trainman or the stress and Strain imposed thereon by the trainman when using the rod 4 to turn the valve.

The lower or working end of the rod Il carries an eye member 5, in practice from lone to one and one-fourth inches in length and of such transverse diameter to allow the eye member 5 to be readily threaded upon thearm 3 of a valve A so that the valve A may be readily turned by a trainman on the platform of the Caboose.

The rod 4 freely threads through an opening E in the outer or free end portion of an arm l Carried by the rail I of the railing structure R preferably at the longitudinal center of said rail I. The opening 6 is of such increased diameter with respect to the diameter of therod Il to allow such rod 4 not only to have free endwise movement but also to have free universal movement to allow the rod Il to be easily and readily manipulated by the trainmen on the platform of the Caboose to engage the eye member 5 with the arm 3 of a valve A and turn such valve as may be desired.

The upper end portion of the rod 4 is provided with the cross handle 8 extending beyond opposite sides thereof and whereby means are provided for conveniently operating the rod 4.

The arm 'I overlies the rail I and as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing and arm I is securely held to the rail I by the headed bolt 9 disposed from above through the arm 'i and the rail I with a holding or Clamping nut Iii threaded upon the bolt 9 from below .the rail I and having close Contact with said rail I. The inner end of the arm 'l is provided with a depending flange or lip l I having close Contact with the rail edge of the rail I. This flange or lip il coacts with the rail I to relieve the bolt 9 from strain during the use of the rod Il and thereby materially increasing safety.

When the rod Li is not in'use it will readily depend from the arm 'l by Contact from above of the handle 8 and it is also to be pointed outthat the eye member 5 is of a maximum width in excess of the diameter of the opening ii in the arm 'i to prevent complete removal of the rod Il, thus assuring the rod Il at all times being available for use. i

In the present embodiment of my invention the handle 8 is applied after the adjacent end portion of .the rod Il has been inserted from below through the opening Ii of the arm 1.

It is to be pointed out that the eye member 5 is so formed to assure easy picking up or threading of the operating arm 3 of the air brake valve A Without the necessity of the person operating the device turning the rod d into any particular or certain position in order to pick up the handle 3.

From the foregoing 'description it is thought to be obvious that a val-Ve operator constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly Well adapted for use by reason ofthe convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated. 1* f What I claim is:

l. In combination with a railroad car having an end platform and a railing structure for the platform including a transversely disposed rail, an arm secured .to the rail and extending outwardly therefrom, the extended portion of the arm having an opening, an elongated rod extending through said opening, an eye member carried by the lower end portion of the rod to engage the operating arm of an air valve carried by a second car to which the rst car is coupled, and an operating member carried by the opposite end portion of the rod above the arm.

2. In.combination with a railroad car having an end platform and a railing structure for the platform including a transversely disposed rail, an arm secured to the rail and extending outwardly therefrom, the extended portion of the arm having an opening, an elongated rod extending through said opening, an eye member carried by the lower end portion of the rod to engage the operating arm of an air valve carried by a second car to which the rst car is coupled, and an operating member carried by the opposite end portion of the rod above the arm, the eye member and the operating member carried by the rod being of a size to prevent the rod from completely passing through the opening of the rst named arm.

HUGH G. HUGHES. 

